The Immortal Lü Dongbin Appearing over the Yueyang Pavilion

Unidentified artist

Not on view

This fan depicts the Daoist immortal Lü Dongbin hovering above the Yüeh-yang Lou, a famous pavilion on the east shore of Lake Dongting, in Hunan Province. During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the cult of Lü Dongbin flourished under the influence of the Quanzhen ("Perfect Realization") sect of Daoism. The center of the cult was the Yongle Gong (Temple of Eternal Joy) in Shanxi Province. The painting style of the figures and the architecture and landscape details of this fan relate closely to murals in Yongle Gong that date to the latter half of the Yüan period (1279–1368). Therefore, the cyclical date dingsi inscribed on the wall outside the pavilion in this picture probably corresponds to the year 1377.

The Immortal Lü Dongbin Appearing over the Yueyang Pavilion, Unidentified artist Chinese, late 13th–early 14th century, Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk, China

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The Immortal Lü Dongbin Appearing over the Yueyang Pavilion, Unidentified artist Chinese, late 13th–early 14th century, Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk, China
The Immortal Lü Dongbin Appearing over the Yueyang Pavilion, Unidentified artist Chinese, late 13th–early 14th century, Fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on silk, China

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